Jogging Stroller & Finger Paint

The other side of my bed is more comfortable than my usual side. This I learned Saturday night/Sunday morning. The night prior, I had carried Kaileigh upstairs and put her in my bed at around 1130pm. We both slept soundly until 9am Sunday morning. When I cracked an eye and gazed her way she in turn woke with a smile to die for. What a little sweety! She quietly told me she was gonna go to her own room and play for a while. Well, she was back in a matter of minutes and asked if I was getting up. I did. I rose to my feet and then proceeded to brush my teeth. Kaileigh asked where Mindy and the kids were. She was asleep when they left and obviously assumed them to still be there. While I did my exercises, Kaileigh played with a couple of her dolls. She also questioned just what in the heck I was doing. Well I guess that she’s not into push-ups and sit-ups just yet. After I finished I asked her if she wanted to walk Ykraps with me or just watch out the back door. She opted for the viewing. I don’t blame her. It was cold! And once Ykraps and I were done, I returned indoors for some dressed up coffee. Kaileigh had OJ. I checked and sent some emails while Kaileigh played. At her request, I began making pancakes for our breakfast. I was happy that was her choice since I’ve only had them one other time in the last two years. While breakfast was cooking, Kaileigh insisted on watching Shallow Hal. I saw no harm. She’s seen it a dozen other times so we put it in. After we woofed down our pancakes I asked her if she had any interest in going running with me. She said she did. Truthfully, though, I didn’t think she would. Two years ago, immediately following Christmas, I bought the jogging stroller. She was only 2-1/2. She liked it that first year, but last winter was a different story. Last year she spent the night on a cold January evening, and the following morning was a blustery day much like today. It was after a snow, it was chilly, and the wind was whipping up. Once we took to the streets, she asked if we could turn around after only about two blocks. I tried to divert her attention, but with little success. She repeatedly asked how much longer and pleaded to go home. I knew it was going to be a challenge. She cried a little but ultimately stuck it out for the entire 4 miles. I felt bad. Needless to say, she wanted to go home after that! Today, however, she was once again determined to do it. I bundled her up as I always do. Soon the two of us were on the road again. Let me tell you, pushing that damn jogging stroller is a workout in itself that takes some getting used to. I have a real appreciation for those moms who do this everyday. And man, oh man, when you’re heading into the wind it’s double tough. The stroller catches wind like a damn kite. I was breathing hard. I checked Kaileigh’s status a number of times on the trail. She repeated that she was fine and was enjoying the ride. Kinda like sledding, she said. :) After about three miles she turned sideways to sleep. And let me tell you, that wind was ferocious! Not only was it stiff from the west but it was cold! As the end neared, I was more than relieved that we had notched another 4 miles together, and that I’d made it. I was pooped & sweaty!!!! Upon our return to the warmth of my home, Shelly called to arrange for Kaileigh’s pick-up. She decided she’d come and get her at 1245pm. That worked fine. We played together right up until time for her to leave. One of Kaileigh’s favorite activities is to leash up poor Ykraps and walk him around the house putting him in several compromising positions. His eyes always express his displeasure, and he often looks at me with a look that says, “when’s she leaving”? Soon, Ykraps, soon! After Kaileigh left I picked up the small residual mess of toys and such that she left in her wake. Nothing too much. Next, I headed outdoors to finally shovel my drive and walk. I hadn’t had much opportunity until now. And happily, I was able to get the driveway almost entirely clean after using the square shovel to pry up the hardened, iced over snow created by several trips up and down the drive in my Trooper. Next I filled one of my 5 gallon Home Depot buckets with hot water in an attempt to remove the ice from my front stoop that never gets winter sun. If left alone, it could stay iced over for weeks on end, and has several times in the past. The hot water did the trick though, along with some vigorous sweeping with a broom as it melted. And to ensure it stayed that way, I threw down some of the new snow salt I’d bought the day prior. It’s supposed to be safe for concrete. We’ll see. It was now almost 2pm. I had invited myself to Sunday dinner at Mindy’s mom’s again today and needed to be there at 415pm. I could rush and squeeze in some more Xmas shopping, or I could stay home and catch up on some things I haven’t found time for of late. I opted for the home thing. I’m so glad I did. I settled into my big reading chair, grabbed my book and began reading away. It’s been about two weeks since I’ve touched my new book, What the Bleep Do We Know. I managed through about 20 pages before falling asleep. And what a blissful sleep it was. After waking I felt so damn good! I had a few minutes before needing to get ready so I spent that extra time playing guitar and saxophone then doing some additional decorating. At 330pm, I hit the shower and readied for Sunday dinner at Mindy’s mom’s. The Bengals/Browns game wasn’t over when I left the house. And the score was tied at 20 a piece. But the important game was the Vikings vs. Rams, and they were ahead 27-13. I was happy. On my way to Gloria’s, I tuned to the Bengals radio broadcast just in time to hear them line up for the go ahead field goal. From what I gathered, many Browns fans were annoyed that the Bengals found themselves in such good field position as time was expiring thinking that perhaps there were a couple of bad calls. That scenario is all too familiar to me, being a Vikings fan. We’ve lost countless games on the last drive where we’ve seemingly stopped them only to get flagged for pass interference or some obscure defensive holding penalty that gives the opposing team new life. At last I was at Mindy’s mom’s. And aside from Mindy and her kids, I was the first one there. But soon after I arrived, Mindy’s brother Craig & Jeff showed. And not too much later her younger brother Todd and his wife Missy arrived with their daughter Mia. Soon we were all around the dinner table. It was pleasant. We had sloppy joes, chicken noodle soup, and tater tots. For dessert we had cinammon cake topped with finger paints (cinammon whipped cream). We stayed and visited until 7pm or so. After helping Mindy load her mini-van with loads of stuff, we headed towards her home in our separate vehicles. Once at Mindy's we put her kids to bed, and then stayed up and played for a few while. In the meantime the Packers and Lions duked it out on ESPN Sunday Night Football. The Minnesota Vikings won yet again! 27-13 over the St Louis Rams! key stat: Vikings forced 6 turnovers!